Q&A with Host of Digital Day 2019, Georgie Barrat

What are the biggest challenges you face as a woman working in a sector that’s still fairly dominated by men?

As a journalist commentating on the tech scene, I don’t personally experience what it’s like being in an industry dominated by men. However, I certainly conduct a lot of panel discussions and interviews around this topic and it seems one of the big sticking points is that women just don’t consider it as a career option. The seed that girls shouldn’t go into STEM careers gets planted early on during school years. This is then reinforced through the lack of female role models in the industry and recruitment processes that are unconsciously biased. Flexible working hours and part-time contracts also need to be championed to help women return to work after having children. 

What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Becoming part of The Gadget Show really was a dream come true. I’ve watched the show since I was little so I still have pinch-myself-moments when I’m doing a feature with the legend that is Jon Bentley. I get to go to some pretty amazing places as well. Last year I was driven at 60 kmh around the streets of Hong Kong with just AI being in charge of the vehicle. It was a phenomenal experience!

If you could give your 16-year-old self one piece of career advice, what would it be?

Don’t worry things will come together, but it may take a little longer than what you initially anticipate. I think social media has a lot to blame for us millennials wanting everything to happen instantly. We have on demand dates, taxis, food - so naturally you expect your career to happen with the same ferocity. Be ambitious, see yourself going to the top, but work out how long it will take you to get there. Mentors really help when it comes to assembling a realistic timescale of when your career will start to resemble the picture you have of it in your head.

Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry?

I have different people I look up to, depending on what aspect of my career I’m thinking about. When it comes to tech Priya Lakhani is a female founder of an AI teaching platform called Century. She has such knowledge of her industry, is a true entrepreneur and brilliant at public speaking. When it comes to journalism I love Dolly Alderton and what she’s managed to build with her podcast “The High Low”. Presenting-wise you can’t beat Holly Willoughby and also love Angellica Bell - she’s had a brilliant career.

What’s top of your bucket list?

I haven’t ever been sky diving before and would love to give it a go. I have actually told the producers at The Gadget Show, so hopefully they can work into the series. Me testing phones as I jump out of a plane - that could work as a feature, surely?

 Being so active on social in your day job, do you use social media yourself or tend to stay away from it in your personal life?

I tend to blend the two. I think most people do that these days as there’s less of a distinction between work and home. People are more open about what previously would be considered private moments.

How can marketers ensure that they’re keeping up with digital developments?

I think by going to industry events like this one. Chatting to people, networking, looking at competitors. Technology does move extremely quickly, but finding a product that fits with your businesses strategy is still the aim of the game. Never jump on the big tech trend without really analysing how it will add to the business.

Join Georgie at Digital Day 2019 on 24 April at the Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow by signing up here.